Pillow

ABSTRACT

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems for providing a barrier to external stimuli for a user during a resting period. The barrier may comprise a top wall positioned adjacent the head of the user; and a side wall positioned adjacent the shoulder of the user. The top wall may be hingedly connected to the side wall and wherein the top wall and the side wall are positioned to stand vertically upright with respect to the head and shoulder of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/286,568, filed Jan. 25, 2016, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to a sleeping surface barrier. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a barrier device for use in bedding to reduce interference from stimuli.

BACKGROUND

Efficient and effective sleep is an essential need to maintain health. Cohabitation or continuous interaction with excessive stimuli may reduce one's ability to enter and sustain sufficient sleep. Thus, in the event of overactive stimuli, a system that reduces the stimuli while increasing functionality and structural stability may provide a distinct advantage. There have been attempts to provide a system that is versatile and stable. However, these systems appear to lack functionality and stability while in use, which increases discomfort while using the system. Thus, there remains a need for a system that is light weight, effective, versatile, and structurally stable.

SUMMARY

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the disclosure. Certain embodiments of the disclosure can include a system that provides a barrier for sleeping. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a system can be provided to separate two individuals to reduce interaction. The system may comprise a top wall positioned adjacent to the head of the user and a side wall positioned adjacent to the shoulder of the user. In addition, the top wall and the side wall may be positioned to stand vertically upright with respect to the head and shoulder of the user. The top wall and side wall may also be hingedly connected.

Other embodiments, features, and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. Other embodiments, features, and aspects can be understood with reference to the following detailed description, accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is an interior isometric view of a barrier according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in an open configuration.

FIG. 2 is an exterior isometric view of the barrier shown in FIG. 1, shown in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is an exterior isometric view of a first side of the of the barrier shown in FIG. 1, shown in a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 is an exterior isometric view of a second side of the barrier shown in FIG. 1, shown in a closed configuration.

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

Referring now to the figures, the various numbers represent like elements through several views in FIGS. 1-4. In particular, FIG. 1 depicts the interior of an example barrier 100 folded open and in use for protecting a head and shoulder of a user while sleeping on a surface, for example a bed. As shown, the barrier 100 can include a top wall 102, a side wall 104, and a canopy 106. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the side wall 104 is substantially structurally similar to the top wall 102. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the side wall 104 is structurally identical to the top wall 102. As the features of the side wall 104 are substantially structurally similar to the features of the top wall 102 described above, some features of the side wall 104 will not be described in duplicate.

The depicted top wall 102 can be oriented such that it stands adjacent to the head of a user during use. In one aspect, the top wall 102 can be configured to stand orthogonally-upright to a sleeping surface, for example a bed. In an aspect of the embodiment, the top wall 102 can be constructed of a material that is self-supportable. When in use, the self-supportable material aids in allowing the barrier 100 to stand erect, though supporting its own weight. An example self-supportable material can include, but is not limited to wood, foam, metals, and/or plastic. In another aspect of the embodiment, the self-supportable material can comprise a resiliently deformable composition, for example foam.

In another aspect of the embodiment, the self-supportable material can be covered by a secondary material, for example fabric. Further, the secondary material can increase the comfort to the user by providing a softer surface to interact with the user. This particular functionality is increased in the case of a more rigid self-supportable material such as a wood or metal. In another aspect of the embodiment, the secondary material can have a plush spongy-like texture to increase the comfort of the user. The secondary material can, but does not have to, completely enclose the self-supportable material. Thus, in other embodiments, the secondary material can be strategically placed along an inner surface 116 of the top wall 102. For example, a section of plush material can be placed on the self-supportable material where the head may be in most proximal contact.

In another aspect of the embodiment, the top wall 102 can have a receiving pocket 108. The top wall pocket 108 can be orientated with an opening 114 to access a holding volume within. The top wall pocket 108 can provide additional utility by allowing a user to store items in his/her immediate vicinity. In another aspect of the embodiment, the opening 114 that provides access to an internal volume of the pocket 108 can be sealable by the use of a fastener. In use, the orientation of the pocket 108 can be in a direction facing upwards from the sleeping surface 112. In another embodiment, the top wall pocket 108 can be oriented at various angles between the upwards direction and perpendicular to the sleeping surface 112. As discussed earlier, the structural similarities between the top wall 102 and side wall 104, a side wall pocket 110 can possess that same structural and orientation features as the top wall pocket, including an opening 115. Accordingly, one aspect of the embodiment, the pockets 108, 110 can be integrated into the self-supporting material of a respective wall. In another aspect of the embodiment the pockets 108, 110 can be integrated into the secondary material attached to the respective wall 102, 104. Other embodiments can also include multiple pockets on the same wall.

As depicted, the orientation of the side wall 104 relative to the user can differ from the top wall 102. In an embodiment, the side wall 104 can be adjacent to a shoulder region of the user. When the user chooses to lie on their side, the side wall 104 can be adjacent to the user's back or stomach. Accordingly, the top wall 102 and side wall 104 can be of sufficient height to shield a user when he or she is lying on their side.

As particularly depicted in FIGS. 1-2, another component of the barrier system can include a light-reducing canopy 106. In an embodiment, the canopy 106 can be constructed of a material that spans the top wall 102 to the side wall 104. In another aspect of the embodiment, the canopy 106 can be constructed of a material that has properties consistent with the lighting environment that it is used. For example, in one aspect of the embodiment the canopy 106 can be constructed of an opaque material to block out light. In another aspect, the canopy material can be constructed of a polarized material, allowing for some light to reach the user.

The canopy 106 can be releasably secured to top wall 102 or side wall 104. For example, a hook and loop connector similar to Velcro® can be used as a connecting system. One component of the hook and loop can be connected to a wall 102, 104 with a second component of the hook and loop being connected to the canopy 106. In other embodiments, various combinations of fasteners may be used to secure and release the canopy 106 from the walls 102, 104. In another aspect of the embodiment, the canopy can be fixed to the walls 102, 104 with a permanent solution, for example stitching. As depicted, the canopy 106 can be fixedly secured at one end 120 and releasably secured at the other end 122. For an embodiment with a releasably secured end 122, an aspect of the embodiment can include the canopy 106 being in alignment with one of the top wall 102 and the side wall 104.

In one embodiment, the top wall 102 and side wall 104 can be connected, forming a singular operational structure. For example, the top wall 102 and side wall 104 can be configured in a hinged connection 118. In one aspect of the embodiment, the hinged connection 118 can be operated by stitching the secondary material covering the walls 102, 104 together such that a front material is connected to a back material in very close proximity.

When the barrier 100 is placed in an open configuration, the canopy 106 can be secured, while the canopy spans the top wall 102 and side wall 104. In one aspect, the canopy 106 can be configured with fasteners on both sides of the free end 122. As particularly shown in FIG. 3, a bottom free end fastener 126 can engage a sidewall fastener 128 positioned on the outwardly-facing surface of the side wall 104. Example fasteners 128 can include hook-and-loop, snaps, zipper, or push-through button. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, when the barrier 100 is in a closed configuration, the top wall 102 and the side wall 104 can be folded toward each other using the hinge 118. Further, the free end 122 of the canopy 106 can be folded over the top wall 102. The free end 122 can then be secured by engaging a top free end fastener 125 to the fastener 124. Example fasteners 128 can include hook-and-loop, snaps, zipper, or push-through button. This allows the barrier 100 to be stored in a convenient structure.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical of various embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to barrier various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

We claim:
 1. A barrier for protecting a head and shoulder of a user, the barrier comprising: a top wall positioned adjacent the head of the user; and a side wall positioned adjacent the shoulder of the user; wherein the top wall is hingedly connected to the side wall; wherein the top wall and the side wall are positioned to stand vertically upright with respect to the head and shoulder of the user.
 2. The barrier of claim 1, further comprising a flexible canopy comprising a fixed end and a free end that is releasably secured from the top wall to the side wall.
 3. The barrier of claim 2, wherein the canopy is fixedly secured at one end to one of the top wall and the side wall.
 4. The barrier of claim 2, wherein the canopy is releasably secured at one end to one of the top wall and the side wall.
 5. The barrier of claim 2, wherein canopy is releasably stored in alignment with one of the top wall and the side wall.
 6. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the top wall comprises material that is self-supportable; and the side wall comprises material that is self-supportable.
 7. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the top wall comprises a plush surface, and the side wall comprises a plush surface.
 8. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the top wall comprises a resiliently deformable composition, and the side wall comprises a resiliently deformable composition.
 9. The barrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one receiver positioned on at least one of the top wall and the side wall.
 10. An apparatus for protecting a head and shoulder of a user, the apparatus comprising: a self-supporting barrier having a folded state and an unfolded state, a light-reducing material operably secured to the self-supporting barrier, and a pocket defining a volume for storage relative to the self-supporting barrier.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the self-supporting barrier comprises a pair of hingedly connected panels.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light-reducing material is a canopy with at least one end that is releasably secured to the self-supporting barrier.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pocket is supported by the self-supporting barrier.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the self-supporting barrier comprises an inner layer of a first material and a cover of a different second material. 